Canada geese are susceptible to avian influenza like H5N1. A study conducted with the hpAI virus, an H5N1 virus, found that geese were susceptible to the virus. This has proven useful in monitoring the spread of the virus through the high mortality of infected birds. Previous exposure to other viruses may result in some resistance to H5N1. [64] Harassment of Canada geese herds is an effective technique throughout the year, except during the moulting process. The flocks observed during the breeding season are immature birds or adults that have not been able to nest successfully. Molting takes place in June and July, and the only way to cope with the herds at this time is to remove them from the affected plot. Geese are likely to return unless a barrier is erected to prevent them or a repellent is applied to make the herb inedible. Ohio Geese Control works closely with the Wildlife Division and we are on their list of preferred suppliers for Canadian goose control programs. All permits must come from our customers, once the permits are in place, Ohio Geese Control can manage the eggs, record the information, and then provide the correct information to the Wildlife Division. A number of strategies have been successfully used to minimize conflict between humans and Canada and can be divided into the following categories: human activities, habitat manipulation, harassment techniques, predator bait, special permits, and native waterfowl removal.

The highest probability of success is usually achieved by using multiple strategies simultaneously and alternating the use of a variety of strategies. Relying on a single strategy can bring short-term success, but it rarely leads to long-term avoidance of damage and conflict. Two other important tools in conflict resolution are perseverance and commitment. Most strategies require consistent, repetitive actions and long-term commitment to success. The key to developing a plan is to make the affected property less attractive to Canada geese and scare them immediately upon arrival. Canada geese can have a variety of conflicts with landowners, the severity of which is often related to the number of geese involved. Below is a list of conflicts ranked in order of importance based on the frequency of phone calls received by hotline staff. However, large gatherings of birds can lead to simultaneous conflicts. Eagles of both species often scare away geese en masse from afar, although in other cases geese do not seem to care about sedentary bald eagles nearby and only seem to react when the eagle shows active hunting behavior.

[61] Canada geese are very suspicious of people where they are regularly hunted and killed, but may otherwise become accustomed to fearlessness towards humans, especially when fed by them. [62] This often causes geese to become too aggressive towards humans, and large groups of birds can be considered a nuisance if they cause persistent problems for humans and other animals in the area. If you have a hunting license, you can hunt geese, but only during the hunting season. In the off-season, we checked that Ohio birds are protected, including their eggs, so residents can`t remove or damage them. Canada geese are 75 to 110 cm (30 to 43 in. long) in length and have a wingspan of 127 to 185 cm (50 to 73 in). [17] Depending on standard dimensions, the tendon of the wing can vary from 39 to 55 cm (15 to 22 inches), the tarsus can vary from 6.9 to 10.6 cm (2.7 to 4.2 inches), and the beak can range from 4.1 to 6.8 cm (1.6 to 2.7 inches). The largest subspecies is B.

c. maxima or the giant Canada goose, and the smallest (with the separation of the group of cackling geese) is B. c. parvipes or the smallest Canada goose. [18] An exceptionally large male of the B. c. maxima breed, which rarely exceeded 8 kg (18 lb), 10.9 kg (24 lb) and had a wingspan of 2.24 m (7.3 ft). This specimen is the largest wild goose ever recorded by a species. [19] Ohio residents know the distinctive voices that “honk” from above as a herd of Canada geese passes in front of them in a V-shaped formation.

For some, Canada geese represent one of nature`s most enjoyable visual sites, while pond owners, golf club managers, and park district employees often view them as problematic. Prior to the 1960s, Canada geese were found in Ohio only during spring and fall migration, and they rarely nest. A successful reintroduction of a generally non-migratory breed has allowed Canadian geese to nest on many bodies of water in Ohio`s 88 boroughs. This explosion in the abundance of geese has led to the inevitable conflicts that can occur when a species of wild animal increases significantly in number. However, knowing their biology and the different strategies to avoid visits and damage can be a basis for a goose management plan that minimizes conflicts and problems caused by these conflicts. The Canada goose was one of many species described by Carl von Linnaeus in his 18th-century work Systema Naturae. [5] It belongs to the genus Branta of geese, which contains species with largely black plumage and distinguishes them from gray species of the genus Anser. Realistic predators are a special type of visual deterrent. Examples include lure alligator heads, owls, eagles, and coyotes. As a rule, lures do not work on themselves for more than a week.

The key to successfully using these predatory baits is to move them daily and make sure they are visible from all directions. A lure that constantly remains in the same place will soon lose its ability to instill fear in geese. Lure alligator heads seem to quickly lose their effectiveness. Antidote evidence suggests that coyote baits are very effective and very easy to move on a daily basis. Work from the Ohio State University School of Wildlife has shown that coyotes may be the only potential predator that adult geese cannot repel. The seven subspecies of this bird vary greatly in size and plumage, but all are recognizable as Canada geese. Some of the smaller breeds can be difficult to distinguish from the cackling goose, which overlaps slightly in mass. Most subspecies of the grey goose (with the exception of Richardson`s goose, B.

h. hutchinsii) are much smaller, however. The smallest cackling goose, B. h. minima, is barely larger than a mallard. In addition to the difference in size, greylag geese also have a shorter neck and a smaller beak, which can be useful when small Canada geese meet with relatively large cackling geese. Among the “true geese” (i.e., the genera Anser and Branta), the Canada goose is, on average, the largest living species, although other species that are geese by name, if not closely related to these genera, are on average heavier, such as the spur goose and the Cape barred goose. Housing and feeding domestic ducks and geese is a popular activity in many places, especially in city parks. However, domestic waterfowl act as live lures, attracting Canada geese by signaling a safe place with an abundance of food resources. The removal of native waterfowl reduces the chances of attracting large numbers of Canada geese.

No state or federal permits are required to remove native waterfowl, but keep in mind that a Canada goose is never considered a domestic waterfowl, even if it behaves as such. The removal of native waterfowl from public areas could be unpopular with citizens, so an educational program should be designed and implemented prior to removal. Balloons should have a diameter of 12 to 18 inches, have a light color and large eye spots. Individual balloons are less effective than packs of 2-3 balloons. Balloons should be 8-12 feet above the field or water. Scarecrows must be at least 5 feet tall, wear colorful clothing, have large eyes, and have a design that allows movement of arms and legs in the wind. Flags should be located where geese can easily see them, should have dimensions about 6 to 12 inches wide and 24 to 36 inches long, should be on a pole at least 5 to 6 feet high, and should be brightly colored. The most effective flags are either made of Mylar or have a large amount of Mylar on the flag.